I'd just left the grocery store that night grocery filled canvas bags over each shoulder. A jeep pulled up along the sidewalk.
"Hey," the guy inside asked, "can I give you a ride?"
"No that's ok," I said.
I started walking along the sidewalk being careful not to slip on the ice that was there.
"cmon," he said.
"No," I returned.
I knew him from school. He was the same age as my older sister Dianna, 17. Puck, a football player. Dianna and I were both cheerleaders.
"It's cold out there. And dark," puck stated.
Which it was,
"And you look kindof cold. My car's warm."
Which I was.
"No."
"cmon."
I could see I wasn't going to win this one.
I sighed; "ok."
He pulled up to the curb stopped reached over unlocked the passenger side. I got in placing the grocery bags on the floor. I closed the door and buckled.
He began driving.
He was right his car was warm.
"Where to?" he asked
I gave him the street where I lived.
"Why are you out here anyway?"
"I was grocery shopping," I replied.
"So I gathered."
"Oh."
"And I know that. I meant why at this hour?"
It was 8 that night.
"Oh. Well I had ballet then came back to my place where I had dinner. So I didn't have time to go until now."
"Oh. Ok. I'm puck. You got a name?"
"Jessica," I told him.
"You, got a last name?"
"Yeah I just…."
We were at a stoplight. He help up his hands; "no I get it. Some things are better left personal."
I smiled; "thanks."
"Sure. So do you sing?"
"Yeah. Sometimes."
"Well why don't you join the glee club? I'm sure Mr. schue would love to have you. And I know I would."
I knew he was flirting with me.
"idinno I mean….i don't wanna compete with Dianna. Or, Rachel."
"Oh so that's why you look so familiar."
"Yeah."
"Where to exactly?" he asked.
I gave him the address of a house that wasn't mine. He parked and I got out unlocking a door that wasn't mine.
"damnit," I said when it wouldn't lock.
Something came to me; "oh I just remembered. My friend's getting a new key made and I have hers."
"You don't want me to take you home do you," puck stated catching on.
"erm. No."
"Why?"
"Oh you know. Dianna and mom'll lecture me about being safe. I'm perfectly able to take care of myself."
"Ok Jessica. Well have a good night and I'll see you tomorrow."
"Thanks."
Puck drove away while I went to my house.